CCIC Volunteers - American Meteorological Society

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Initial Statements of the Volunteers AMS/CWCE/BEC Committee on Climate Change, Improving Communication (CCIC) opportunity exists to do so, I would be pleased to serve as part of this group, and certainly look forward to seeing the committee grow and develop the means with which to work toward its mission. Thank you for your consideration. Gordon McBean I would like to volunteer for the AMS CCIC Committee. I am an AMS Fellow, former member of AMS Council (1991-94) and also former President of CMOS, head of the Meteorological Service of Canada (1994-2000), and then PR to WMO. I am an IPCC participant—lead author for 1990, 1995 assessments, review editor for 2007, and convening lead author for present Special Report on Climate Extremes. I was a member of the US NAS Panel on weather services who prepared the report called Fair Weather and tried to ay out who should do what in the weather system. At end of 2008, I was made a Member of the Order of Canada (Canada's highest civilian honour) with the citation: "For his contributions to the advancement of climate and atmospheric sciences in Canada, and for his leadership in national and international scientific organizations, helping to generate and disseminate research findings to policymakers and stakeholders." Now, more than ever before we need to have better and effective communication of climate science and its impacts and possible response strategies. The proposed mandate: "Communication is to foster greater understanding among members of the weather, water, and climate community about strongly held but divergent views on anthropogenic global warming" should go beyond the members but also to the role of informing the general public. When I was head of Met Service of Canada, I spoke that our role was "to inform and where appropriate warn Canadians about changes in the state of our weather, climate, air quality, water and sea ice (our then mandate) on time scales from hours to weeks to seasons to decades." We also need to inform citizens as to what these changes mean or may mean to them and how they can react. I am now the Science Committee Chair for the new Integrated Research on Disaster Risk Program and think that it is very important to link climate change - weather - "natural" hazards - in our science and policy and also in communicating these issues. Pamela McCown I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of the new AMS Committee on Climate Change - Improving Communication (CCIC), tasked with fostering "a greater understanding among members of the weather, water, and climate community about strongly held but divergent views on anthropogenic global warming". I believe that the stated mission of this committee is a necessary (and dare I say . . . overdue) part of the services that the AMS should be providing to its membership as the preeminent scientific and professional organization in the atmospheric and related sciences. However, I cannot in good consciousness allow the use of the phrase "anthropogenic global warming" in this context go without comment. I strongly disagree with the continued use of the terminology "global warming" and believe that as long as we continue to do so, we will never be able to effectively communicate among ourselves, or with others outside of the scientific discipline. It is my hope that this committee will Page 20 of 27 23 March 2010
Initial Statements of the Volunteers AMS/CWCE/BEC Committee on Climate Change, Improving Communication (CCIC) instead foster open communication and understanding about strongly held but divergent views on anthropogenic climate change. As a meteorologist who specializes in scientific communication, I have seen a change over the last 10-15 years in the way that scientists and researchers working in the climate change arena interact with one another and exchange information. That, in turn, has changed the way that information about research findings makes its way to lay audiences. As the subject of climate change has become politicized (and so extremely polarized) I believe that there are two key issues for those who work in this field: 1) Communication within the scientific community 2) Communication with outside audiences It is my understanding from the mission statement that the CCIC will focus primarily on the 1 st issue and I would be honored to be a part of helping to restore an environment of open, respectful, and constructive communication. However, I would strongly urge us all to consider the importance of the 2 nd issue as well. Changes to the way that news organizations and bloggers function in today's world of instant access often mean that research findings are now almost instantly accessible (often under misrepresenting headlines), often before the statements can be fully vetted or peer reviewed. While those familiar with the scientific process understand that the cycle of publishing, defending, vetting, and ultimately, the arrival of a scientific consensus is a normal part of how science works, outside audiences often do not fully understand this process. Ultimately, this has helped to create a public perception that climate change scientists may not be working in the best interest of the public. This perception can have long term consequences on the public funding of basic and applied research as well as the continuation of earth observations and data stewardship. I believe that it is imperative that we address these issues and I would be honored to be a part of the CCIC to help do so. Thanks for your consideration and leadership. David J. McLaughlin I am writing to volunteer to serve on the AMS/CWCE/BEC Climate Change - Improving Communication committee. The stated mission of thIs Committee is "to foster greater understanding among members of the weather, water, and climate community about strongly held but divergent views on anthropogenic global warming." I view this as an important and challenging topic that is worthy of effort. As I see it, the consumers of information on anthropogenic global warming are widely varied (e.g., including scientists and nonscientists; researchers, educators, policy makers, manufacturers, operational decision makers of various types, insurers, business leaders, etc...). Moreover, the information to be communicated is inherently scientific, discipline-crossing, and uncertain. And the stakes are high. All this makes this communication problem a complex one, and I am pleased to see AMS standing up this committee with such a distinguished group of participants. Page 21 of 27 23 March 2010
Page 1 and 2: Ms. Karen Akerlof Graduate Student
Page 3 and 4: Dr. Krish Gounder Senior Project Sc
Page 5 and 6: Ms. Pamela McCown Director, Communi
Page 7 and 8: Initial Statements of the Volunteer
Page 19: Initial Statements of the Volunteer
Page 25 and 26: 12 and university) Initial Statemen
Page 27: Initial Statements of the Volunteer

CCIC Volunteers - American Meteorological Society

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?